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A fractured cusp is a common dental injury that occurs when a piece of a tooth’s chewing surface breaks. The break or crack affects a portion of the tooth called the cusp.
Cusps are the raised areas on a tooth’s chewing surface that help grind food. Each tooth has at least one cusp, and most molars have four or five.
A cusp can fracture for many reasons, including tooth decay or injury. The severity of symptoms it will cause depends on the extent of the crack and whether the dental pulp (inner soft tissue) is exposed.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for saving cracked teeth. Call your general dentist if you have a cusp fracture or other type of cracked tooth.
A fractured cusp doesn’t always cause pain. This is especially true if the crack only affects the chewing surface. However, a severely damaged tooth can be painful.
Some people only experience pain when chewing, and others have erratic pain that comes and goes. A cracked tooth can start hurting all by itself after a while.
Extensive cracks can lead to infected dental pulp, which can spread to the surrounding bone and gums if left untreated.
Symptoms vary depending on the type, location, and extent of the crack. You might not notice a fracture if only the outer enamel is affected. Larger fractures can be painful and require a visit to the dentist.
Common symptoms of a fractured tooth include:
Treatment can help relieve pain and prevent infection from a cusp fracture. The recommended treatment depends on the severity and extent of the tooth fracture.
Treatment for a cracked cusp may include:
If you fracture a cusp of your tooth, don’t panic. Very few dental emergencies can’t be easily managed at home before dental visits.
However, early diagnosis and treatment are always important to avoid a dental emergency.
Visit your dentist immediately if you experience any of the following:
Sometimes tooth trauma is unpreventable. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, including:
Many fractured cusps occur in teeth that contain large fillings. The filling can cause tiny cracks in the tooth that weakens the cusps.2
Other common causes of a fractured cusp include:
Dentists have different methods to diagnose cracked teeth and fractures early. These methods include:2
If you have a fractured tooth, it will not heal on its own. Unlike broken bones, teeth require some restoration treatment.
Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function normally. The crack can worsen without treatment, resulting in pain, infection, or tooth loss.
A fractured cusp happens when the top portion of the tooth cracks or breaks. This can result from an injury, an existing filling, or tooth decay. Other types of cracks can affect teeth, but they are usually treatable.
A fractured or cracked tooth can cause pain, discomfort, and sensitivity. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and infection.
While fractures don’t always cause pain, a severe fracture can be painful. A fractured tooth cannot heal on its own and will require some type of treatment.
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